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Russia's proposal on uranium enrichment is 'unacceptable', Iranian Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani, January 2, 2006

Iran on Sunday said it was ready to accept proposals for complementary nuclear projects from other states.

Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani made the disclosure during an exclusive interview with the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB).

"Iran welcomes all projects and proposals on nuclear cooperation from other states and is ready to conduct joint studies in detail," Larijani said in his comments on Russia's proposal to enrich uranium for Iran.

"There is no obstacle to countries supplying nuclear fuel to other countries.

"But Iranians will rely on their national resources and potential to materialize their goals in the nuclear field. As provided in the Constitution, the SNSC is the most competent body for forging strategies on defense and adopting a national security doctrine for the country," Larijani said.

He pointed out that the SNSC was constitutionally mandated "to effect coordination among the various sectors of the government in order to forge effective domestic and foreign strategies to defend the national interests."
He also broached the idea of codifying the country's guiding principles in national security, something which he said would take a long time, but added that it was needed to pinpoint "opportunities and threats."
Pointing to the increasing global thirst for energy, he said that "governments in recent decades have increasingly become aware of the bright future that lies ahead for their various energy sectors." "Iran is a regional powerhouse because of its influence and geographical location," Larijani said while elaborating on the various uses of nuclear technology.

"Access to advanced technology will further enhance Iran's position in the region and the world. This possibility is causing concern among other countries."

Reiterating Iran's right to pursue nuclear energy, he reminded that the right is accorded every member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the nuclear watchdog of the international community which is "mandated to enforce rules and regulations adopted by its members."

The SNSC secretary believes it would be "unwise" to obtain nuclear fuel from other countries because it would "destroy the country's independence and future."

Referring to the resumption of nuclear talks with Europe, he said the two sides -- Iran, EU3 -- have now changed the basic premises of nuclear talks, adding that in the past the Europeans were not behaving properly towards Iran but realized their mistake when they were convinced the Islamic Republic would not back down from its rights and objectives.

Iran's top nuclear negotiator assessed as "unreasonable" Europe's attempt to deprive Iran of its undeniable right under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), and said Iran would try to achieve finality in the negotiations which have been resumed with the EU3.

"Iran is looking into establishing a timetable through serious talks and insistence on its undeniable right," he said, and expressed the hope the nuclear talks would now achieve substantial progress.

He said Iran in the talks will insist on a timetable, and will seek to limit them to core issues and exclude those which do not have a bearing on the current dispute such as research.

"Europe and the United States have realized that the Islamic Republic of Iran is moving forward in its efforts to achieve its goals and is in a win-win situation," Larijani said.

The SNSC secretary, highlighting the strategic importance of energy in global requirements and Iran as a major supplier, said that the US and Europe "will move with a clear recognition that crises and unrest in the region will hike oil and energy prices." He stressed Iran's cooperation with the IAEA but justified its special cooperation with Russia, saying "it (Russia) is a big and crucial country in the region. We differentiate it from other states."

"Iran and Russia have a wholesome interaction in different fields. Russia gives importance to its cooperation with Iran in its national interest. Its cooperation with Tehran will not be limited to a specific time and will not be contingent on the materialization of regional or extra-regional interests."

Iran's nuclear strategist said Russia's proposal on uranium enrichment was unacceptable because it would deprive it of the right to obtain nuclear technology to complete the fuel cycle.

Pointing to remarks made by French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy on the Iran-Russia nuclear cooperation, Larijani said that the statements were "inaccurate."

Remarking on recent threats leveled against Iran such as the Zionist attack of a possible attack on its nuclear facilities, he said the Zionist regime and the West were waging a "psychological warfare" against Iran.

"Iran will respond decisively once the threats become real," he added.

On recent developments in Iraq, he said, "Moves taken by the US in light of the parliamentary election in Iraq were not hidden from anybody. In fact, they provoked anger among the Iraqi people." He said the "US does not have a correct understanding of the closeness of relations between the Iranian and Iraqi nations. Iran will do what it can to defend the security and political stability of Iraq."

The SNSC secretary said US accusations of Iranian meddling in the affairs of Iraq were born out of its frustration in not being able to achieve its goals in the war-torn country.

Source: Islamic Republic News Agency, http://www.irna.ir/en.

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